Expert Warns of Tales of Disaster for DIY Home Renovators

PERTH, Australia (PRWEB) October 26, 2018

Don't be fooled by the glitz and glamour you see on all the TV shows, renovating is a serious business that can go horribly wrong if corners are cut says one Perth building expert.

Terry Oorschot, a licensed builder, member of the Housing Industry Association (HIA) and owner of specialist renovation company Mr Makeover, says the desire to save money must never come at the expense of safety.

"No one wants to pay more but just because you see ordinary people renovating on TV doesn't mean it's cheap and easy," Mr Oorschot said.

"I've seen it all over the years, from jobs ending up costing twice as much as they should due to mistakes made, to serious injuries to unsuspecting homeowners who try it all themselves without the required skills and licenses."

He said consumers have been lulled over the last decade or so by all the TV shows but it's surprising just how often little "patch up" jobs never last long, especially in kitchens and bathrooms, the two most renovated rooms in any house.

When you consider many renovations require specialist skills from qualified tradespeople like a licensed builder, Electrician, Carpenter, Plumber, Plasterer, Water proofer, Tiler, to Cabinetmaker and Painter, its little wonder there is scope for DIY error.

He said what often happens is homeowners see something like rotting particle board and water damage and even chipped or cracked tiles and dirty grout, and they have a go at a quick and cheap fix.

"The next thing that happens is those smaller jobs turn into bigger ones. You have a go at replacing existing cabinetry with a flat pack thinking you're saving thousands of dollars but what can happen a couple of months down the track is things don't seem right.

"Cracks start appearing, doors don't line up like they used to, or drawers don't close as they should, and you then have to get a professional in to fix things which costs money you did not need to spend if the job was done right the first time.

"At worst, depending on the age of the house and complexity of the project, you may potentially even need an asbestos specialist or stonemasons/concreters/renderers, which don't come cheap," Mr Oorschot said.

The biggest reason to get professional advice before you start?

"If you are not qualified in certain trades and you do the work yourself by installing new taps for example and it goes wrong down the track, no insurance company will pay out. You could be left with a major and costly disaster," he said.

Which is why any renovation project is probably best left to experts like Mr Makeover.

Mister Makeover is a Perth-based renovation company. To find out more and schedule an interview, call Terry Oorschot on 0417091138 or email terry@boulevardliving.com.au

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